FARMER Michael Grant Wheadon was today starting a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence for sexually abusing a Weymouth girl.

Judge John Beashel told Wheadon he robbed the girl of her innocence during the attacks in Weymouth when she was aged seven to 14.

Wheadon, 56, of Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell, was jailed after being found guilty of four charges of indecent assault and three of indecency.

His victim today said that watching Wheadon sent to jail was worth the ordeal of testifying against him at Dorchester Crown Court. The woman, who works in Dorchester and Weymouth, said: "I am satisfied with the sentence.

"I hope his punishment of prison will make him learn his lesson and that he will never hurt anyone again.

"He took seven years of my life and now he is paying for what he did."

She added: "Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

"I feel it has been brought to a close. It is time to move on and rebuild my life."

Judge Beashel sentenced Wheadon, who is married with daughters, to three and a half years with half of the sentence suspended for him to be released on licence from prison.

He also placed Wheadon on the sex offenders' register for life and disqualified him from working with children.

Judge Beashel, who was sitting at Bournemouth Crown Court, said: "I have nine character references before me, some from close friends and family.

"Some are very moving and say they believe you are not guilty of these offences. But there is no going back on the verdict of the jury. You faced trial and were found guilty.

"You abused this girl and after many years she revealed what had been happening. You robbed her of her innocence. It was an extremely serious matter and only a custodial sentence can be justified."

Ian Ross, representing Wheadon, said the farmer still protested his innocence and had a lot of support from friends, family and people in the community.

His victim said: "The jury found him guilty.

"I wish he would just give me a break and admit it. I would feel a lot better if he would just admit what he has done."

Wheadon was found not guilty of one charge of indecency and two of indecent assault at the trial last December.

He was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after probation officers drew up pre-sentence reports.

Judge Beashel ordered that two further charges of indecent assault on which the jury could not reach a verdict were to lie on the file and no re-trial take place.